Projectile for loading practice.



PATBNTED MAY 10, 1904.

P. A. GUYE. PROJEGTILE FOR LOADING PRACTICE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 8, 1903. w

4 BHEETS-BHEBT 1.

R0 MODEL.

PATEN'IED MAY 10, 1904.

I. A. GUYE. PRCJECTILE FOR LOADING PRACTICE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 8, 1903.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

N0 MODEL.

PATENTED MAY 10, 1904.

P. A. GUYE. PROJEGTILE FOR LOADING PRACTICE.

APPLIOATION FILED JUNE 8, 1903.

4 SHIZETS-SHEET 3.

N0 MODEL.

Fig.1

4 BHEETB-SHEET 4.

PATENTBD MAY 10, 1904.

P. A. GUYE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 8, 1903.

PROJEGTILE FOR LOADING PRACTICE.

110 MODEL.

EM PL Patented May 10, 1904.

F ICE.

PAUL ALEXIS GUYE, OF PARIS, FRANCE.

PROJECTILE FOR LOADING PRACTICE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 759,516, dated May 10,1904. Application filed June 8, 1903. Serial No. 160,605. (No model.)

art to which it appertains to make and use the.

same.

In all breech-loading ordnance the introduction of the projectile islimited by the contact of the forcing-belt against the walls of anextremely elongated. cone which connects the front extremity of thechamber with the commencement of the rifiing. lmpelled or pushed withthe force necessary for ramming it home the projectile becomes firmlywedged in this cone. Havingbecome wedged in this cone, it cannot beextracted except by means of special methods which require specialappliances I and the expenditure of a considerable amount of time; Byreason of this difficulty loading practice has not hitherto included theintroduction of the projectile. The operation has been confined topresenting it at the entrance to the chamber and to a simulatedimpulsion. In fact, the most important operation is omitted. V Inordnance of large caliber this operation demands of the servers a knackwhich can only be acquired with practice. The instruction of the gunscrew is still more defective when the guns are provided with amechanical loading appliance operated by manual effort or in any othermanner. In order to permit of fully carrying out the loading operationunder all circumstances, I have devised a special projectile whichreduces in a very large degree the effects of the forcing, so that theprojectile can be afterward readily extracted.

My projectile is constituted in particular by two independent massesfitted one within the other and connected by a member which presentsopposition to their disconnection. The forcing-band of the projectile isadherent to one of these masses, which thus serves as the base. As soonas this band comes into contact with the walls of the cone of thechamber the base mass is suddenly arrested. The

other mass, which I will call the freemass, continues its movement andthen stops under the influence of the connecting member, which opposesits separation. Owing to the compression of this connecting member thismass returns upon itself and produces against the base mass a shock inthe inverse direction, which tends to dislodge the forcing-band. As thebase mass, which has been suddenly arrested, only represents a fractionof the weight despatched, the adhesion of the band to the cone of thechamber is reduced in an approximately equal proportion; but owing tothe extremely elongated proportions of the cone the inverse shockproduced by the return of the free mass is not suificient to entirelyfree the fixed mass. This operation is completed by means of anunwedging device.

Various constructional forms of my invention are represented in Figures1 to 11 of the accompanying drawings. Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, relate tothe first of these forms. Fig. 1 is a view of the base of theprojectile; Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section on the line A B of Fig. 1.Fig. 3 is a cross-section on C D of Fig. 2. Fig. i is a longitudinalsection showing the elements of the projectile in the position whichthey occupy shortly after the stoppage of the base mass. Fig. 5 isanelevation of the extractor-hook.

The constituent parts of the projectile are a base mass (0, adapted tobe suddenly stopped and formed by a hollowed-out base into which theforcing-band is let; a free mass 1), partly fitted into the base andcomprising the ogive and the cylindrical portion of the projectile; anantagonistic or recoil member composed of three springs 1* in tension,arranged in cylindrical housings formed in the thickness of the wall ofthe free mass 6, these springs maintaining this latter in contact withthe base by the tractive effort which they exert upon the rods t, whichserve to guide them, and, finally, an unwedging device, which is a kindof rolling hammer constituted by a second free mass 0, by a springresistance .9, and by a guide-rod c'. This hammer may be alternatelypressed forward and drawn back by means of a hook f, Fig. 5, which isengaged fitted upon the exterior of this tube a in the recess m, formedfor this purpose in the bottom of the hammer part. The mass travels uponradial rollers g.

The operation is as follows: Before and during the movement oftranslation of the projectile within the chamber the respectivepositions of the parts are as described above and represented in Fig. 2.As soon, however, as the forcing-band makes contact with the walls ofthe cone of the chamber the dislocation of these parts is produced inthe manner represented in Fig. 4:. The base mass a stops and becomeswedged in the bone. The free mass 6 continues its movement, compressingthe springs r, and stops when its inertia is completely absorbed by theresistance of these springs. It then returns upon itself and producesagainst the base mass a shock in the inverse direction to the directionof despatch, and this shock commences the loosening of the band. Thehammer 0 also travels forward and returns upon itself. The completerelease of the band is effected by internal shocks, also in the inversedirection,which are produced on the rear of the projectile by vigorouslypressing and drawing back the hammer with the extractor-hook f,mentioned above.

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section of a second constructional form of myinvention. The operation is the same as in the first form; but thedisplacement of the free mass is utilized for completing thedisengagement of the belt. The base mass (6 is prolonged by a thincasing, which is given the external form of the c lindrical portion andof the ogive of the projectile. The free mass 6, furnished with rollersg and a guide 71, is displaced within this casing. A spring 7' maintainsit in position at the bottom of the base. being intended to serve as anunwedging hammer, the strength of the spring 1" should not exceed thethrust which a man is readily able to produce by operating theextractorhook. Owing to the necessity for this and also of the weight ofthe free mass the limit strength of the spring 1* should not absorb morethan a portion of the was m'ea of this mass. The excess of this force isabsorbed and returned at the end of the travel by a buffer 70, providedwith a more powerful spring a).

Fig. 7 is a longitudinal section of a third constructional form,comprising only one spring, and in which the displacement of the freemass may be employed for completing the disengagement. The base mass iscomposed of a forcing-washer a, surmounted by a central tube 6. The freemass 6, constituted by the body and the ogive of the projectile, is Thetwo masses (0 and b are maintained in contact by the tension of acentral spring r, acting upon the front of the tube and upon a rod 2,,fixed upon the head of the ogive. The thrust This free mass 6 and suddenreturn movement of the free mass are obtained by means of a socket-keyfitting in a sleeve m, provided with tenons forming the rearprolongation of the rod.

Fig. 8 shows in longitudinal section a fourth constructional form inwhich the free mass also serves as an unwedging-hammer and in which inaddition the m'oa arising from the displacement of the rammer is alsoab= sorbed. The projectile is constituted in the following manner: Thebase mass a, formed of a complete casing open at the rear and internallyreinforced by a ring of hard metal, which opposes deformation of thebelt, and a free mass 6, provided with a rod 2?. These two masses areprevented from separating by means of a washer f, retained by a nut. Aspring r in tension opposes the forward movement of the mass 6. Completeunwedging is obtained, as in the second and third constructional forms,by means of alternating movements imparted to the free mass. The shocksact upon the head of the ogive.

Figs. 9, 10, and 11 represent a fourth constructional form of myinvention.' Fig. 9 is an external elevation of the projectile. Fig. 10is a longitudinal section on the axis of the projectile. Fig. 11 is across-section on the line A B of Fig. 9. Its constructional form ischaracterized by the employment of an atmospheric recuperator and of anunwedging device capable of acting either automatically or as desired;The constituent parts are as follows: Thebase mass 0, mainly constitutedby a eylindro-ogival casing closed at its base by a movable bottom partc, fitting upon outwardly-fianged portions having the form of atruncated cone. tion of this casing is fringed throughout its contour bylongitudinal slits m 72, m n m a, which divide this portion intoflexible strips having a tendency to bend toward the center, an internalrod 6 connecting the bot-' tom 0 of the casing a by means of thescrewthread d and of the nut which compresses the springs. This rod 25is rigid With the sleeve m, which constitutes the piston of therecuperator. The free mass 6 is provided at its middle portion with arecess f. This mass is movable upon the rod 6 and upon the sleeve on.Independently of its special purpose it serves as a cylinder for theatmospheric recuperator. To this end the recess f is filled withcompressed air, and the passages of the rod and of the sleeve areprovided with joints The charge of air is admitted through a passagetraversing the rod. hen the base mass suddenly stops, the free mass actsin the same manner as described with reference to the precedingconstructional forms. Upon its return it strikes and forces back thebottom 0 into its truncated conical housing. This recoil movement servesto compress the spring 8 and to bring together the fringed portions Thelower cylindrical porof the base mass. The forcing-band is thenunwedged. At the same moment the projectile automatically releasesitself by a slight recoil movement produced by the extension of thespring 8. Complete unwedging may also be obtained by means of a movementof rotation in the proper direction imparted to the screw-threaded rod25 by means of a hook engaged in the handle q. As the rod cannot moveforward, the rotation of the screwthreaded portion tends to remove thetruncated conical bottom 0. WVhen the bottom 0 is at the recoil, thehook engaged in the handle q is retained by the edges of the cylindricalhousing. In order to withdraw it, it is necessary to cause the truncatedconical bottom to return to its initial position, which prevents anyincorrect maneuver.

Vhat I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the UnitedStates, is*

1. A dummy or drill projectile having a plurality of members movablerelatively to each other longitudinally of the projectile, and a tensiondevice connecting said parts, whereby the parts are caused to resumetheir normal relative positions from which they are displaced in the actof loading.

2. A dummy or drill projectile having a plurality of members movablerelatively to each other longitudinally of the projectile, and arecuperativc device placed under tension by the movement of one memberrelative to another in the act of loading, whereby the parts arereturned to their normal relative positions when the loading force iswithdrawn.

3. Adummy or drill projectile having a plurality of members movablerelatively to each other longitudinally in the act of loading, aforcing-band on one member for engaging the walls of the gun-chamber,and a recuperator or power-storing device connecting the members andrestoring them to their normal relative positions when the loading forceis removed.

L. A dummy or drill projectile provided with a mass or portion having aforcing-band thereon, a second mass or portion movable relativelythereto, and a tension device connecting said portions.

5. A dummy or drill projectile provided with a mass or portion having aforcing-band thereon, a second mass or portion connected to the first bya sliding-rod connection, whereby the two portions are movable relativeto each other, and a spring interposed between said polrtions tending todraw them toward each ot ier.

6. A dummy or drill projectile composed of a plurality of masses orportions movable relatively to eachother, and a yielding connectingmember opposing the movement of said portions from each other.

7 A dummy or drill projectile having a base mass or portion, aforcing-band thereon, a free mass or portion movable longitudinallyrelatively to said base mass, and a yielding device connecting saidmasses or portions and opposing their separation.

8. A dummy or drill projectile having a base mass or portion, aforcing-band thereon, a free mass or portion movable longitudinallyrelatively to the base mass or portion, a headed rod secured to one ofsaid portions and slidable through a bearing in the other portion, and aspring reacting between one of said portions and an abutment on saidrod.

9. A dummy or drill projectile having a base mass or portion, acylindrical free mass or portion movable relative to said base mass orportion, a hammer mass or portion movable within said cylindrical freemass, a yielding connection between said base and free masses, and atension device resisting the forward movement of said hammer portionwithin said cylindrical mass or portion.

10. Adummyordrillprojectilehavingabase mass or portion, a forcing-bandthereon, a hollow cylindrical free mass or portion, headed rods securedto the base mass and having sliding connection with the free mass,springs surrounding said rods, a hammer mass or portion movablelongitudinally within said free mass, a rod secured to said hammer massand having sliding connection with said free mass, and a springsurrounding said last-named rod.

11. Adummyordrillprojectilehavingabase mass or portion, a forcing-bandthereon, a hollow cylindrical free mass or portion, headed rods securedto the base mass and having sliding connection with the free mass,springs surrounding said rods, a hammer mass or portion movablelongitudinally within said free mass, antifrictional bearings betweensaid free and hammer masses, a rod secured to said hammer mass andhaving sliding connection with said free mass, and a spring surroundingsaid lastnamed rod.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of twowitnesses.

PAUL ALEXIS GUYE.

Witnesses:

LoUIs GARDET, J. ALLISON BOWEN.

